Ken Sulak, a biologist at the U.S. Geological Survey in Gainesville, Florida, thinks he has found the answer.

The sounds jumping sturgeons make are distinct from the sounds of other jumping fish, Sulak says. He believes the jumping is a form of communication that sturgeons use to connect with larger groups and maintain community cohesion.

"I think of sturgeon-jumping sounds as being equivalent to cows mooingannouncing to the larger group the presence and position of individuals," Sulak said.

"Still Get a Thrill"

A subspecies of the Atlantic sturgeon, Gulf sturgeons are found in the coastal rivers of the Gulf of Mexico. The Suwannee River, which runs from southern Georgia through northern Florida, contains the largest population of Gulf sturgeons.